The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 238

The sound of their breathing was sharp in the darkness, the rhythm rising and falling, their breaths tangling together in the quiet room.

If someone heard that question from a loving couple, it would be filled with concern and affection. But when Franco said it, his voice carried not even a trace of warmth.

They weren’t lovers, and they definitely weren’t a regular husband and wife.

Petty felt like she couldn’t breathe. “I’m not hungry,” she managed.

Before the words had even fully left her mouth, the man just let out a quiet grunt and slid his hand under her shirt. His palm pressed gently against her stomach.

His fingers were rough and warm against her soft skin, and the heat sent a tremor through her. She shivered, her reaction completely out of her control.

She quickly caught his hand and tried to push him away.

Instead, Franco tightened his grip around her waist. His voice was low and a little raspy. “I’ll take you out for something to eat.”

...

Ephemera was the most famous restaurant in Cabinda. Getting a table here was difficult on an ordinary day—during the holidays, it was practically impossible. And tonight wasn’t just a big holiday, it was also Valentine’s Day.

Franco didn’t care. He simply reserved the whole restaurant.

Every couple who had a booking that night received a VIP voucher for a weekend at The White Group spa resort, along with a fancy gift box and a generous check. Jay worked fast, and Franco never hesitated to spend big. No one complained.

Now, on the top floor with the best view in the restaurant, Petty was eating steak. She wasn’t taking her time, and she wasn’t eating carelessly either. She was just... eating, like any regular meal. This didn’t feel like the kind of romantic dinner people come here for.

She glanced at the glass of red wine sitting in front of her, considered it, and then looked away. She wasn’t much of a drinker.

Ephemera had been in Cabinda for ten years. Four summers ago, she made a reservation here, planning to confess to Franco after she finished grad school. But on the day of her graduation, Franco got into a car accident. Later, she found out that Laura became his girlfriend.

She was about to check her messages when the man across from her looked up. Petty froze, not daring to open Malcom’s reply right in front of Franco. If Franco saw their conversation, she’d lose all hope of slipping away.

“I’m going to the restroom,” she said quietly.

She stood and headed that way. Most of the staff here worked for Franco, and plenty of the security had military backgrounds. There was no way she could escape on her own, and she knew it.

Franco watched her walk off, his eyes unreadable. In his hand, his own phone screen glowed.

As soon as Petty got into the restroom, she checked her phone.

Malcom: I’m out of town. Are you in trouble?

Petty frowned. Malcom was normally a homebody, so if he’d left town, he was probably off on a mission. She didn’t want to drag him into her mess, not right now.